2014

Organisations can improve their environmental performance - without being statutorily forced - by participating in the voluntary European certifications system EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme): The submitted Proposal for a Regulation enables also organisations seated outside the EU to participate in EMAS. For organisations with sites located in one or more Member States registration procedures are being simplified as they may apply for one single corporate registration of all sites ("collective registration"). Rules for small organisations are being simplified, too, by applying exceptions. In addition, they will report on their environmental performance on the basis of so-called "core indicators" which are newly introduced.

2014

The EU Commission has proposed an amended version of the existing directive for harmonised investment funds ("UCITS"). The proposal contains new rules simplifying cross-border marketing and mergers of investment funds. Moreover, investor information on UCITS shall be presented more concisely in the future.

2014

The EU Commission's Proposal for a Directive enables Member States to incorporate costs of air pollution, noise pollution and congestion caused by heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in tolls paid for the use of public roads. The aim is to make transport more sustainable by way of internalising "external costs".